UNITARIANISM IN IRELAND.

In former numbers of the Advocate, we have spoken of the encouraging progress of Unitarian views in Ireland. The Remonstrant Synod of Ulster has been particularly distinguished for its intelligent, consistent, and temperate, thoug resolute vindication of christian liberty, and catholicism. Tas annual meeting of this Synod was held on the 17th July, at Banbridge. A brief outline of the serinons preached on this occasion, by Rev. Messrs. Blakely and Glenny, will exhibit in a favorable light, the spirit of the Reformers of Ireland.

Rev. Mr. Blakely's sermon was from 2 Corinthians iv. 5. 'For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord.'

From these words, he proceeded to point out, at considerable length, the insufficiency and presumption of human authority, interposed instead of the book of revelation; and showed, that, taking Christ for his Master, he neither could nor durst admit of any interference, on the part of fallible men like himself. He contended, that creed-making was a device of priests, whether Protestant or Catholic, resorted to for the purpose of supporting their own authority and influence. He next gave a luminous view of the preaching of Christ and his Apostles; and concluded by vindicating the claims of Unitariaus to the character of Christian teachers.'

Rev. Mr. Glenny preached from Matthew xx. 26th, 27th, and 28th verses. But it shall not be so among you; but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister.'

The

The preacher took an opportunity of tracing the progress of that departure from the simplicity of the Gospel, which grew up, as he alleged, into the unscriptural domination of the Church of Rome; and, which, since the days of the Reformation, has continued to infect the Christian Church. Rev. Gentleman proceeded to show, at great length, and with much ability, the evils which have resulted from the assumption of the unscriptural power, by some portions of the people, of deciding on the points of faith which it is necessary that all who attached themselves to the Christian Church should hold.'

UNITARIANISM IN ENGLAND.

In the August number of the Advocate we gave an account of the proceedings at the late anniversary of the Brit

ish and Foreign Unitarian Association, in London. We have received since then, accounts of the meetings of several local societies, which give pleasing evidence of the continuance of a judicious and active zeal.

Southern Unitarian Society. The annual meeting of this society was held at Newport, June 27th, Dr. Carpenter in the chair. We give the following passages from the Report.

I presenting the Annual Report to the Members, the Committee have reason to express their belief that the Society has been as useful in the accomplishment cf its objects during the past year, as at any former period. It has been the means of placing many valuable controversial works in the hands of those who, probably, would not otherwise have possessed them; it has aided the cause of piety and virtue by its practical and devotional works; it has assisted in the instruction of the young by its Sunday School and other publications; and it has promoted the genuine knowledge of the Scriptures by the diffusion of small tracts, expressly calculated to recommend the principles of Unitarianism.'

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'In the Catalogue of the Society, this year, will be found a portion of the tracts published by the American Unitarian Association,' which are admirably adapted to promote the purposes of this Society, and may be regarded as the most valuable addition that has been made to its list for inany years. It is sincerely believed that, by the wide circulation of these tracts, in addition to those which are of pure English growth,' the knowledge of our sentiments will be greatly increased, and the progress of Divine Truth much advanced. The service which English Unitarians rendered the cause, in awakening the attention of America to the long neglected but genuine doctrines of the Gospel, by the writings of Lindsey and Priestley, will thus be amply repaid by the assistance English Unitarianism may receive from the delightful productions of her Channing, Tuckerman, and Ware.'

Unitarians of Derbyshire.-A letter recently addressed to the Editor of the Unitarian Chronicle, speaks thus of the state of religion in Derbyshire.

'Those of your readers who have visited the Peak district of Derbyshire will recall with pleasure the remembrance of the romantic and picturesque scenery in the neighborhood of Ashford in the waters: where bill and valley-rock, wood,

and water, combine their respective allurements to charm the eye and delight the imagination. They will be glad to hear that a mental change is operating, promising to assimilate the moral to the natural aspect;-that a system of pure, simple, and rational Christianity is gaining ground on the bewildering mystifications of an intolerant orthodoxy. May it still go on and prosper, until it supplants the present system as completely as this has superseded the ancient and established worship of the Druids, whose forsaken temple at Arbor Low, within a few miles of Ashford, still remains the monument of the exploded orthodoxy of ancient times!

Until within a very recent period, the Unitarian, as such, would have found little to gratify him in the religious sentiments of the inhabitants of this district. Recent circumstances have, however, demonstrated, that the latent spark was there, and that it wanted only the kindly breeze to call forth its native vigor.

Previously, however, to the appearance of Mr. Shenton as a Unitarian preacher, the grossest darkness pervaded the minds of the people with regard to the sentiments of Unitarians. This ignorance would, in all probability, have still remained, but for the circumstances which called him to labor in the diffusion of Unitarian sentiments. Mr. Shenton formerly labored in this district as a preacher among the Primitive Methodists. He became a convert to Unitarianism-tendered to the Methodists his resignation, which was reluctantly accepted-and has for the last six months been actively employed under the auspices of the Manchester Unitarian Village Missionary Society, in diffusing a knowledge of the principles of Unitarianism.'

In a report of Mr. Shenton, alluding to the limited extent of his operations, on account of illness, and to his encouraging success when able to devote himself to his missionary labors, he says:

'It is with mingled feelings of pleasure and regret that I take a retrospect of my labors during the last five weeks. With the highest satisfaction I have witnessed the growing attachment of my hearers to our doctrines,—and the practical tendency of those doctrines, as evinced in the amended lives of those who have embraced them,-as also their power to support the mind under the pressure of the heaviest afflictions incident to mortality.

WHAT is religion? What is true religion? When can the individual be said to have experienced religion; pure and undefiled religion? These are solemn and important questions. They are questions in which we are all deeply interested. A great deal has been said and written on the subject of religion; on its nature and spirit; on the characteristics of true religion; on religious experiences. Much, however, as has been said and written upon this subject, and familiar as it may be to our minds, there is, I apprehend, much error prevailing among mankind, in relation to it. Many do not, I conceive, feel the importance of religion; do not realize its necessity; many entertain wrong ideas concerning it; possess narrow and limited views and conceptions of its nature and character. Religion, with multitudes, is a confined principle. Instead of enlarging and expanding the mind, it contracts the feelings and heart. It may be useful, therefore, to

spend a few moments, in the consideration of this all

important subject.

What are the most prevailing errors, in regard to the nature of true religion? In what does religion consist? What is its importance and value?

We begin, by pointing out some of the most common errors into which mankind have fallen, in regard to the nature of true religion. The first mistake on this subject which we shall notice, is the error of supposing religion to consist chiefly in the observance of external rites and ceremonies. This is a very common error, and is embraced by men of very opposite characters.

On the one hand, men of mere worldly habits and feelings, are prone to attach an undue importance to the outward forms of religion. If they show a proper respect for the institution of the sabbath; if they regularly and habitually attend upon the services of public worship, they are too apt to consider their religious duties as performed, and would feel injured, were they accused of any deficiency in their observance of the obligations of religion. On the other hand, there are also many really pious and devout men, who are too much disposed to judge of their progress in religion, by their strict observance of ordinances; and to measure the growth of others, in moral and religious attainment, by their love of, and attendance upon religious meetings and services, of a public and private character. Now it should be known and realized, that mere rite and ceremony are, in themselves considered, of comparatively little value. They are valuable only as means and not as an end. They are